He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence.
And, maister, er ye come in his presence,
Me thynketh that it were necessarie
For to be war of swich an adversarie.
Beth redy for to meete hym everemoore;
Thus taughte me my dame; I sey namoore.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Pardoner’s Tale. The servent boy tells the three rioters in the tavern how Death has slain a thousand during during the Plague. He suggests that before they come into his presence, they should be aware of such an adversary and be ready to meet him.